Fungicide N-cycloalkyl-N-biphenylmethyl-carboxamide derivatives

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to N-cycloalkyl-N-biphenylmethyl-carboxamide derivatives of formula (I) 
                         
wherein A, Z 1 , Z 2 , Z 3 , X, n, Y and m represent various substituents, their process of preparation, preparation intermediate compounds, their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/876,153 filed on Mar. 26, 2013, which is a 35 U.S.C. §371 national phase conversion of PCT/EP2009/059840 filed Jul. 30, 2009, which claims priority of European Application No. 08356115.9 filed Aug. 1, 2008. Applicants claim priority to each of the foregoing patent applications. The PCT International Application was published in the English language.

The present invention relates to N-cycloalkyl-N-biphenylmethyl-carboxamide derivatives, their process of preparation, preparation intermediate compounds, their use as fungicide active agents, particularly in the form of fungicide compositions and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions.

In international patent application WO-2002/083647 certain fungicidal and insecticidal N-biphenylmethyl-carboxamide derivatives are generically embraced in a broad disclosure of numerous compounds of the following formula:

wherein R¹ can represent C₁-C₅-alkyl, R² can represent C₁-C₅-alkyl or the like, R³ can represent hydrogen or C₁-C₃-alkyl and X can represent various substituents among which hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₃-alkyl. However, this document does not claim compounds wherein the nitrogen atom of the carboxamide residue can be substituted by a cycloalkyl group.

In international patent application WO-1994/05642 certain fungicidal and insecticidal N-biphenylmethyl-carboxamide derivatives are generically embraced in a broad disclosure of numerous compounds of the following formula:

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ can represent hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl or the like, X can represent oxygen, Y can be a direct bond and R₅ can represent a phenyl group. However, there is no disclosure in this document of any compound including a non-fused 5-membered heterocyclic carboxamide or a cycloalkyl linked to the nitrogen atom of the carboxamide residue.

In international patent application WO-2007/087906 certain fungicidal N-benzyl-carboxamide derivatives are generically embraced in a broad disclosure of numerous compounds of the following formula:

wherein A represents a carbo-linked, unsaturated or partially saturated, 5-membered heterocyclyl group, Z₁ represents C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl, Z₂ and Z₃ can represent hydrogen, C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl or the like, n represents at least 1 and X can represent various substituents. However, this document does not specifically disclose nor suggest selecting such compounds wherein X can be a phenyl group.

It is always of high-interest in agriculture to use novel pesticide compounds in order to avoid or to control the development of resistant strains to the active ingredients. It is also of high-interest to use novel compounds being more active than those already known, with the aim of decreasing the amounts of active compound to be used, whilst at the same time maintaining effectiveness at least equivalent to the already known compounds. We have now found a new family of compounds that possess the above mentioned effects or advantages.

Accordingly, the present invention provides N-cycloalkyl-N-biphenylmethyl-carboxamide derivatives of formula (I)

wherein

-   -   A represents a carbo-linked, unsaturated or partially saturated,         5-membered heterocyclyl group that can be substituted by up to         four groups R;     -   Z¹ represents a non-substituted C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl or a         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl substituted by up to 10 atoms or groups that         can be the same or different and that can be selected in the         list consisting of halogen atoms; cyano; C₁-C₈-alkyl;         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be         the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy         comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or         different; C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxycarbonyl         comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or         different; C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyl; or         di-C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyl;     -   Z² and Z³, that can be the same or different, represent a         hydrogen atom; C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₂-C₈-alkenyl; C₂-C₈-alkynyl; cyano;         nitro; a halogen atom; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₂ C₈-alkenyloxy;         C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; C₁-C₈-alkylsulphenyl; amino;         C₁-C₈-alkylamino; di-C₁-C₈-alkylamino; C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl;         C₁-C₈-alkylcarbamoyl; di-C₁-C₈-alkylcarbamoyl;         N—C₁-C₈-alkyl-C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbamoyl; or     -   Z² and Z³ together with the carbon atom to that they are linked         can form a substituted or non substituted C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl;     -   X and Y independently represent a halogen atom; nitro; cyano;         isonitrile; hydroxyl; sulfanyl; amino; pentafluoro-λ⁶-sulfanyl;         C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen         atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylamino;         di-C₁-C₈-alkylamino; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy         comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or         different; C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkoxy;         C₁-C₈-alkylsulphanyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphanyl comprising up         to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;         C₂-C₈-alkenyl; C₂-C₈-halogenoalkenyl comprising up to 9 halogen         atoms that can be the same or different; C₂-C₈-alkynyl;         C₂-C₈-halogenoalkynyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can         be the same or different C₂-C₈-alkenyloxy;         C₂-C₈-halogenoalkenyloxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that         can be the same or different; C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy;         C₂-C₈-halogenoalkynyloxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that         can be the same or different; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl;         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₂-C₈-alkenyl;         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₂-C₈-alkynyl; C₃-C₇-halogenocycloalkyl         comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or         different; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl;         C₁-C₈-alkyl-C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; C₆-C₁₄-bicycloalkyl; formyl;         formyloxy; formylamino; carboxy; carbamoyl; N-hydroxycarbamoyl;         carbamate; (hydroxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyl;         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylcarbonyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms         that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylcarbamoyl;         di-C₁-C₈-alkylcarbamoyl; N—C₁-C₈-alkyloxycarbamoyl;         C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbamoyl; N—C₁-C₈-alkyl-C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbamoyl;         C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxycarbonyl comprising up         to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;         C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyl; di-C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyl;         C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyloxy; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylcarbonyloxy         comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or         different; C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonylamino;         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylcarbonylamino comprising up to 9 halogen         atoms that can be the same or different;         C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyloxy; di-C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyloxy;         C₁-C₈-alkyloxycarbonyloxy, C₁-C₈-alkylsulphenyl;         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphenyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms         that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylsulphinyl;         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphinyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms         that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylsulphonyl;         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphonyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms         that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkoxyimino;         (C₁-C₈-alkoxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl;         (C₂-C₈-alkenyloxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl;         (C₂-C₈-alkynyloxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl;         (benzyloxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl; tri(C₁-C₈-alkyl)silyl;         tri(C₁-C₈-alkyl)silyl-C₁-C₈-alkyl; benzyloxy that can be         substituted by up to 5 groups Q; benzylsulfanyl that can be         substituted by up to 5 groups Q; benzylamino that can be         substituted by up to 5 groups Q; aryl that can be substituted by         up to 5 groups Q; aryloxy that can be substituted by up to 5         groups Q; arylamino that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q;         arylsulfanyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q;         aryl-C₁-C₈-alkyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q;         aryl-C₂-C₃-alkenyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q;         aryl-C₂-C₈-alkynyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q;         aryl-C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups         Q; pyridinyl that can be substituted by up to 4 groups Q and         pyridinyloxy that can be substituted by up to 4 groups Q; or two         substituents X together with the consecutive carbon atoms to         that they are linked can form a 5- or 6-membered, saturated,         carbo- or hetero-cycle comprising up to 3 heteroatoms fused with         the phenyl ring to that the two substituent X are linked, that         can be substituted by up to 4 groups Q that can be the same or         different; or two substituents Y together with the consecutive         carbon atoms to that they are linked can form a 5- or         6-membered, saturated, carbo- or hetero-cycle comprising up to 3         heteroatoms fused with the phenyl ring to that the two         substituent X are linked, that can be substituted by up to 4         groups Q that can be the same or different;     -   n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;     -   m represents 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;     -   R independently represents a hydrogen atom; halogen atom; cyano;         isonitrile; nitro; amino; sulfanyl; pentafluoro-λ⁶-sulfanyl;         C₁-C₈-alkylamino; di-C₁-C₈-alkylamino; tri(C₁-C₈-alkyl)silyl;         C₁-C₈-alkylsulfanyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulfanyl comprising up         to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;         C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen         atoms that can be the same or different; C₂-C₈-alkenyl;         C₂-C₈-halogenoalkenyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can         be the same or different; C₂-C₈-alkynyl; C₂-C₈-halogenoalkynyl         comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or         different; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9         halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₂         C₈-alkenyloxy; C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl;         C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-alkylsulphinyl;         C₁-C₈-alkylsulphonyl; C₁-C₈alkoxyimino;         (C₁-C₈-alkoxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl; (benzyloxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl;         aryloxy; benzyloxy; benzylsulfanyl; benzylamino; aryl;         halogenoaryloxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the         same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyl;         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylcarbonyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms         that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl;         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxycarbonyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms         that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyl;         di-C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyl;     -   Q independently represents a halogen atom; cyano; isonitrile;         nitro; C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₂-C₈-alkenyl; C₂-C₈-alkynyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy;         C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkoxy;         C₁-C₈-alkylsulphanyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9         halogen atoms that can be the same or different;         C₂-C₈-halogenoalkenyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can         be the same or different; C₂-C₈-halogenoalkynyl comprising up to         9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;         C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can         be the same or different; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl         comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or         different; tri(C₁-C₈)alkylsilyl and         tri(C₁-C₈)alkylsilyl-C₁-C₈-alkyl;         as well as salts, N-oxides, metallic complexes, metalloidic         complexes and optically active or geometric isomers thereof;         with the exclusion of         N-cyclopropyl-N-[(6-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)methyl]isoxazole-5-carboxamide.

Any of the compounds according to the invention can exist in one or more optical or chiral isomer forms depending on the number of asymmetric centres in the compound. The invention thus relates equally to all the optical isomers and to their racemic or scalemic mixtures (the term “scalemic” denotes a mixture of enantiomers in different proportions) and to the mixtures of all the possible stereoisomers, in all proportions. The diastereoisomers and/or the optical isomers can be separated according to the methods that are known per se by the man ordinary skilled in the art.

Any of the compounds according to the invention can also exist in one or more geometric isomer forms depending on the number of double bonds in the compound. The invention thus relates equally to all geometric isomers and to all possible mixtures, in all proportions. The geometric isomers can be separated according to general methods that are known per se by the man ordinary skilled in the art.

For the compounds according to the invention, the following generic terms are generally used with the following meanings:

-   -   halogen means either one of fluorine, bromine, chlorine or         iodine;     -   heteroatom can be nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur;     -   any alkyl group, alkenyl group or alkynyl group can be straight         or branched;     -   the term aryl means phenyl or naphthyl     -   in the case of an amino group or the amino moiety of any other         amino-containing group, substituted by two substituents that can         be the same or different, the two substituents together with the         nitrogen to that they are attached can form a heterocyclyl         group, preferably a 5 to 7-membered heterocyclyl group, that can         be substituted and can contain other hetero atoms, for example         morpholino or piperidinyl.

Preferred compounds according to the invention are compounds of formula (I) wherein A is selected in the list consisting of:

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹)

wherein: R¹ to R³ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-alkoxy or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A²)

wherein: R⁴ to R⁶ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-alkoxy or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A³)

wherein: R⁷ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-alkoxy or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R⁸ represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₅-alkyl;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A⁴)

wherein: R⁹ to R¹¹ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; amino; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; C₁-C₅-alkylsulphanyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A⁵)

wherein: R¹² and R¹³ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; amino; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R¹⁴ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; amino; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A⁶)

wherein: R¹⁵ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a cyano; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R¹⁶ and R¹⁸ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R¹⁷ represent a hydrogen atom or C₁-C₅-alkyl;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A⁷)

wherein: R¹⁹ represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₅-alkyl R²⁰ to R²² that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A⁸)

wherein: R²³ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R²⁴ represents a hydrogen atom or C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A⁹)

wherein: R²⁵ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R²⁶ represents a hydrogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹⁰)

wherein: R²⁷ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R²⁸ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; amino; C₁-C₅-alkylamino or di(C₁-C₅-alkyl)amino;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹¹)

wherein: R²⁹ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R³⁰ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; amino; C₁-C₅-alkylamino or di(C₁-C₅-alkyl)amino;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹²)

wherein R³¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₅-alkyl R³² represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R³³ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; a nitro; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹³)

wherein: R³⁴ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C3-C₅-cycloalkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; C₂-C₅-alkynyloxy or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R³⁵ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; a cyano; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; C₁-C₅-alkylsulphanyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; amino; C₁-C₅-alkylamino or di(C₁-C₅-alkyl)amino; R³⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or C₁-C₅-alkyl;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹⁴)

wherein: R³⁷ and R³⁸ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-alkoxy or a C₁-C₅-alkylsulphanyl; R³⁹ represents a hydrogen atom or C₁-C₅-alkyl;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹⁵)

wherein R⁴⁰ and R⁴¹ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹⁶)

wherein R⁴² and R⁴³ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or amino;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹⁷)

wherein: R⁴⁴ and R⁴⁵ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹⁸)

wherein R⁴⁷ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R⁴⁶ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or C₁-C₅-alkylsulfanyl;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A¹⁹)

wherein: R⁴⁹ and R⁴⁸ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A²⁰)

wherein: R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A²¹)

wherein: R⁵² represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different.

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A²²)

wherein: R⁵³ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different.

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A²³)

wherein: R⁵⁴ and R⁵⁶ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R⁵⁵ represents a hydrogen atom or C₁-C₅-alkyl;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A²⁴)

wherein: R⁵⁷ and R⁵⁹ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R⁵⁸ represents a hydrogen atom or C₁-C₅-alkyl;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A²⁵)

wherein: R⁶⁰ and R⁶¹ that can be the same or different represent a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R⁶² represents a hydrogen atom or C₁-C₅-alkyl;

-   -   a heterocycle of formula (A²⁶)

wherein: R⁶⁵ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; C₃-C₅-cycloalkyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; C₂-C₅-alkynyloxy or C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; R⁶³ represents a hydrogen atom; a halogen atom; C₁-C₅-alkyl; a cyano; C₁-C₅-alkoxy; C₁-C₅-alkylsulphanyl; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; amino; C₁-C₅-alkylamino or di(C₁-C₅-alkyl)amino; R⁶⁴ represents a hydrogen atom or C₁-C₅-alkyl.

More preferred compounds according to the invention are compounds of formula (I) wherein A is selected in the list consisting of A²; A⁶; A¹⁰ and A¹³ as herein-defined.

Even more preferred compounds are compounds of formula (I) wherein A represents A¹³ wherein R³⁴ represents a C₁-C₅-alkyl, C₁-C₅-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; or C₁-C₅-alkoxy; R³⁵ represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom and R³⁶ represents a C₁-C₅-alkyl.

Other preferred compounds according to the invention are compounds of formula (I) wherein Z¹ represents a C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl substituted by up to 10 groups or atoms that can be the same or different and that can be selected in the list consisting of halogen atoms; C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₅-alkoxy or C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; more preferably Z¹ represents a non-substituted C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; even more preferably Z¹ represents cyclopropyl.

Other preferred compounds according to the invention are compounds of formula (I) wherein X independently represents a halogen atom; C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; tri(C₁-C₈-alkyl)silyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy or C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different.

Other more preferred compounds according to the invention are compounds of formula (I) wherein two consecutive substituents X together with the phenyl ring form a substituted or non substituted 1,3-benzodioxolyl; 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinoxalinyl; 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazinyl; 1,4-benzodioxanyl; indanyl; 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl; or indolinyl.

Other preferred compounds according to the invention are compounds of formula (I) wherein Y independently represents a halogen atom; cyano; C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; or (C₁-C₈-alkoxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl. Other more preferred compounds according to the invention are compounds of formula (I) wherein two consecutive substituents Y together with the phenyl ring form a substituted or non substituted 1,3-benzodioxolyl; 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinoxalinyl; 3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazinyl; 1,4-benzodioxanyl; indanyl; 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl; or indolinyl.

Other preferred compounds according to the invention are compounds of formula (I) wherein R independently represents a hydrogen atom; halogen atom; cyano; C₁-C₈-alkylamino; di-C₁-C₈-alkylamino; tri(C₁-C₈-alkyl)silyl; C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylsulfanyl; amino, hydroxyl; nitro; C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl; or C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy.

The above mentioned preferences with regard to the substituents of the compounds according to the invention can be combined in various manners. These combinations of preferred features thus provide sub-classes of compounds according to the invention. Examples of such sub-classes of preferred compounds according to the invention can be combined:

-   -   preferred features of A with preferred features of Z¹, Z², Z³,         X, Y, n, m, R and Q;     -   preferred features of Z¹ with preferred features of A, Z², Z³,         X, Y, n, m, R and Q;     -   preferred features of Z² with preferred features of A, Z¹, Z³,         X, Y, n, m, R and Q;     -   preferred features of Z³ with preferred features of A, Z¹, Z²,         X, Y, n, m, R and Q;     -   preferred features of X with preferred features of A, Z¹, Z²,         Z³, Y, n, m, R and Q;     -   preferred features of Y with preferred features of A, Z¹, Z²,         Z³, X, n, m, R and Q;     -   preferred features of n with preferred features of A, Z¹, Z²,         Z³, X, Y, m, R and Q;     -   preferred features of m with preferred features of A, Z¹, Z²,         Z³, X, Y, n, R and Q;     -   preferred features of R with preferred features of A, Z¹, Z²,         Z³, X, Y, n m and Q;     -   preferred features of Q with preferred features of A, Z¹, Z²,         Z³, X, Y, n, m and R.

In these combinations of preferred features of the substituents of the compounds according to the invention, the said preferred features can also be selected among the more preferred features of each of A, Z¹, Z², Z³, X, Y, n, m, R and Q so as to form most preferred subclasses of compounds according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I). Thus according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process P1 for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) as illustrated by the following reaction scheme:

wherein

-   -   A, Z¹ to Z³, X, Y, n and m are as herein-defined;     -   U¹ represents a halogen atom or a leaving group.

In process P1 according to the invention, step 1 can be performed if appropriate in the presence of a solvent and if appropriate in the presence of an acid binder.

N-cycloalkyl-amine derivatives of formula (II) are known or can be prepared by known processes such as reductive amination of aldehyde or ketone (Bioorganics and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2006, p 2014 synthesis of compounds 7 and 8), or reduction of imines (Tetrahedron, 2005, p 11689), or nucleophilic substitution of halogen, mesylate or tosylate (Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2002, p 3887 preparation of intermediate for compound 28).

Carboxylic acid derivatives of formula (III) are known or can be prepared by known processes (WO-93/11117; EP-545 099; Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1987, p 737-759, Bioorg. Med. Chem., 2002, p 2105-2108).

Suitable acid binders for carrying out process P1 according to the invention are in each case all inorganic and organic bases that are customary for such reactions. Preference is given to using alkaline earth metal, alkali metal hydride, alkali metal hydroxides or alkali metal alkoxides, such as sodium hydroxide, sodium hydride, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium tert-butoxide or other ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonates, such as cesium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal acetates, such as sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate and also tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, tributylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), diazabicyclononene (DBN) or diazabicycloundecene (DBU). It is also possible to work in the absence of an additional condensing agent or to employ an excess of the amine component, so that it simultaneously acts as acid binder agent.

Suitable solvents for carrying out process P1 according to the invention are in each case all customary inert organic solvents. Preference is given to using optionally halogenated aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbons, such as petroleum ether, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene or decalin; chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichlorethane or trichlorethane; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, methyl t-amyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane or anisole; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or i-butyronitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate, sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide, or sulphones, such as sulpholane.

When carrying out process P1 according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can independently be varied within a relatively wide range. Generally, processes according to the invention are carried out at temperatures between 0° C. and 160° C., preferably between 10° C. and 120° C. A way to control the temperature for the processes according to the invention is to use micro-wave technology.

Process P1 according to the invention is generally independently carried out under atmospheric pressure. However, in each case, it is also possible to operate under elevated or reduced pressure.

When carrying out step 1 of process P1 according to the invention, generally 1 mol or other an excess of the acid derivative of formula (III) and from 1 to 3 mol of acid binder are employed per mole of amine of formula (II). It is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios.

Work-up is carried out by customary methods. Generally, the reaction mixture is treated with water and the organic phase is separated off and, after drying, concentrated under reduced pressure. If appropriate, the remaining residue can be freed by customary methods, such as chromatography or recrystallization, from any impurities that can still be present.

Thus according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second process P2 for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) as illustrated by the following reaction scheme:

wherein

-   -   A, Z¹ to Z³, X, Y, n and m are as herein-defined;     -   U² represents a halogen atom such as chlorine, bromine or         iodine;     -   W represents a boron derivative such as a boronic acid, a         boronic ester or a potassium trifluoroborate.

Process P2 can be performed in the presence of a palladium catalyst and if appropriate in the presence of a phosphine ligand or a N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and in the presence of a base and if appropriate in the presence of a solvent.

Compounds of formula (IV) can be prepared by known processes (WO-2007/087906) and the preparation of compounds of formula (V) is well known.

Process P2 according to the invention can be carried out in the presence of a catalyst, such as a metal salt or complex. Suitable metal derivatives for this purpose are based on palladium. Suitable metal salts or complexes for this purpose are palladium chloride, palladium acetate, tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium, bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium, bis(triphenyl phosphine)palladium dichloride or 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenepalladium(II) chloride.

It is also possible to generate a palladium complex in the reaction mixture by separate addition to the reaction of a palladium salt and a ligand or salt, such as triethylphosphine, tri-tert-butylphosphine, tricyclohexylphosphine, 2-(dicyclohexylphosphine)biphenyl, 2-(di-tert-butylphosphine)biphenyl, 2-(dicyclohexylphosphine)-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)biphenyl, triphenylphosphine, tris-(o-tolyl)phosphine, sodium 3-(diphenylphosphino)benzenesulphonate, tris-2-(methoxyphenyl)-phosphine, 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphine)-1,1′-binaphthyl, 1,4-bis(diphenyl-phosphine)butane, 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphine)ethane, 1,4-bis(dicyclohexylphosphine)butane, 1,2-bis(dicyclohexylphosphine)ethane, 2-(dicyclohexylphosphine)-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)-biphenyl, 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, (R)-(−)-1-[(S)-2-diphenylphosphino)-ferrocenyl]ethyldicyclohexylphosphine, tris-(2,4-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite or 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolium chloride.

It is also advantageous to choose the appropriate catalyst and/or ligand from commercial catalogues such as “Metal Catalysts for Organic Synthesis” by Strem Chemicals or “Phosphorous Ligands and Compounds” by Strem Chemicals.

Suitable bases for carrying out process P2 according to the invention can be inorganic and organic bases which are customary for such reactions. Preference is given to using alkaline earth metal or alkali metal hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or other ammonium hydroxide derivatives; alkaline earth metal, alkali metal or ammonium fluorides such as potassium fluoride, cesium fluoride or tetrabutylammonium fluoride; alkaline earth metal or alkali metal carbonates, such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate or cesium carbonate; alkali metal or alkaline earth metal acetates, such as sodium acetate, potassium acetate or calcium acetate; alkali metal alcoholates, such as potassium ter-butoxide or sodium ter-butoxide; alkali metal phosphates, such as tri-potassium phosphate; and also tertiary amines, such as trimethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N,N-dimethyl-aminopyridine, diazabicyclooctane (DABCO), diazabicyclononene (DBN) or diazabicycloundecene (DBU).

Suitable solvents for carrying out process P2 according to the invention can be customary inert organic solvents. Preference is given to using optionally halogen atomated aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbons, such as petroleum ether, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene or decalin; chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, dichlorethane or trichlorethane; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether, methyl t-amyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,2-diethoxyethane or anisole; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, n- or i-butyronitrile or benzonitrile; amides, such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylpyrrolidone or hexamethylphosphoric triamide; esters, such as methyl acetate or ethyl acetate, sulphoxides, such as dimethyl sulphoxide, or sulphones, such as sulpholane.

It can also be advantageous, to carry out process P2 according to the invention, with a co-solvent such as water or an alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, i-propanol or t-butanol.

When carrying out process P2 according to the invention, the reaction temperatures can independently be varied within a relatively wide range. Generally, processes according to the invention are carried out at temperatures between 0° C. and 160° C., preferably between 10° C. and 120° C. A way to control the temperature for the processes according to the invention is to use micro-wave technology.

Process P2 according to the invention is generally independently carried out under atmospheric pressure. However, in each case, it is also possible to operate under elevated or red used pressure.

When carrying out step 2 of process P2 according to the invention, 1 mol or an excess of the boron derivative of formula (V) and from 1 to 5 mol of base and from 0.01 to 20 mol percent of a palladium complex can be employed per mole of compound of formula (IV).

It is also possible to employ the reaction components in other ratios.

Work-up is carried out by customary methods. Generally, the reaction mixture is treated with water and the organic phase is separated off and, after drying, concentrated under reduced pressure. If appropriate, the remaining residue can be freed by customary methods, such as chromatography or recrystallization, from any impurities that can still be present.

Compounds according to the invention can be prepared according to the above described processes. It will nevertheless be understood that, on the basis of his general knowledge and of available publications, the skilled worker will be able to adapt these processes according to the specifics of each of the compounds according to the invention that is desired to be synthesized.

Still in a further aspect, the present invention relates to compounds of formula (II) useful as intermediate compounds or materials for the process of preparation according to the invention. The present invention thus provides compounds of formula (II):

wherein Z², Z³, X, Y, n and m are as herein-defined with the exclusion of N-(biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)cyclopropanamine and N-[1-(biphenyl-4-yl)ethyl]cyclopropanamine.

In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a fungicide composition comprising an effective and non-phytotoxic amount of an active compound of formula (I).

The expression “effective and non-phytotoxic amount” means an amount of composition according to the invention that is sufficient to control or destroy the fungi present or liable to appear on the crops and that does not entail any appreciable symptom of phytotoxicity for the said crops. Such an amount can vary within a wide range depending on the fungus to be controlled, the type of crop, the climatic conditions and the compounds included in the fungicide composition according to the invention. This amount can be determined by systematic field trials, that are within the capabilities of a person skilled in the art.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a fungicide composition comprising, as an active ingredient, an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as herein defined and an agriculturally acceptable support, carrier or filler.

According to the invention, the term “support” denotes a natural or synthetic, organic or inorganic compound with that the active compound of formula (I) is combined or associated to make it easier to apply, notably to the parts of the plant. This support is thus generally inert and should be agriculturally acceptable. The support can be a solid or a liquid. Examples of suitable supports include clays, natural or synthetic silicates, silica, resins, waxes, solid fertilisers, water, alcohols, in particular butanol, organic solvents, mineral and plant oils and derivatives thereof. Mixtures of such supports can also be used.

The composition according to the invention can also comprise additional components. In particular, the composition can further comprise a surfactant. The surfactant can be an emulsifier, a dispersing agent or a wetting agent of ionic or non-ionic type or a mixture of such surfactants. Mention can be made, for example, of polyacrylic acid salts, lignosulphonic acid salts, phenolsulphonic or naphthalenesulphonic acid salts, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols (in particular alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts of sulphosuccinic acid esters, taurine derivatives (in particular alkyl taurates), phosphoric esters of polyoxyethylated alcohols or phenols, fatty acid esters of polyols and derivatives of the above compounds containing sulphate, sulphonate and phosphate functions. The presence of at least one surfactant is generally essential when the active compound and/or the inert support are water-insoluble and when the vector agent for the application is water. Preferably, surfactant content can be comprised from 5% to 40% by weight of the composition.

Optionally, additional components can also be included, e.g. protective colloids, adhesives, thickeners, thixotropic agents, penetration agents, stabilisers, sequestering agents. More generally, the active compounds can be combined with any solid or liquid additive, that complies with the usual formulation techniques.

In general, the composition according to the invention can contain from 0.05 to 99% by weight of active compound, preferably 10 to 70% by weight.

Compositions according to the invention can be used in various forms such as aerosol dispenser, capsule suspension, cold fogging concentrate, dustable powder, emulsifiable concentrate, emulsion oil in water, emulsion water in oil, encapsulated granule, fine granule, flowable concentrate for seed treatment, gas (under pressure), gas generating product, granule, hot fogging concentrate, macrogranule, microgranule, oil dispersible powder, oil miscible flowable concentrate, oil miscible liquid, paste, plant rodlet, powder for dry seed treatment, seed coated with a pesticide, soluble concentrate, soluble powder, solution for seed treatment, suspension concentrate (flowable concentrate), ultra low volume (ULV) liquid, ultra low volume (ULV) suspension, water dispersible granules or tablets, water dispersible powder for slurry treatment, water soluble granules or tablets, water soluble powder for seed treatment and wettable powder. These compositions include not only compositions that are ready to be applied to the plant or seed to be treated by means of a suitable device, such as a spraying or dusting device, but also concentrated commercial compositions that must be diluted before application to the crop.

The compounds according to the invention can also be mixed with one or more insecticide, fungicide, bactericide, attractant, acaricide or pheromone active substance or other compounds with biological activity. The mixtures thus obtained have normally a broadened spectrum of activity. The mixtures with other fungicide compounds are particularly advantageous.

Examples of suitable fungicide mixing partners can be selected in the following lists:

(1) Inhibitors of the nucleic acid synthesis, for example benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, bupirimate, clozylacon, dimethirimol, ethirimol, furalaxyl, hymexazol, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M, ofurace, oxadixyl and oxolinic acid.

(2) Inhibitors of the mitosis and cell division, for example benomyl, carbendazim, chlorfenazole, diethofencarb, ethaboxam, fuberidazole, pencycuron, thiabendazole, thiophanate, thiophanate-methyl and zoxamide.

(3) Inhibitors of the respiration, for example diflumetorim as CI-respiration inhibitor; bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, flutolanil, fluopyram, furametpyr, furmecyclox, isopyrazam (mixture of syn-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS and anti-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9SR), isopyrazam (syn epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS), isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9R), isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1S,4R,9S), isopyrazam (anti-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9SR), isopyrazam (anti-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9S), isopyrazam (anti-epimeric enantiomer 1S,4R,9R), mepronil, oxycarboxin, penflufen, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, thifluzamide as CII-respiration inhibitor; amisulbrom, azoxystrobin, cyazofamid, dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, famoxadone, fenamidone, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyraoxystrobin, pyrametostrobin, pyribencarb, trifloxystrobin as CIII-respiration inhibitor. (4) Compounds capable to act as an uncoupler, like for example binapacryl, dinocap, fluazinam and meptyldinocap. (5) Inhibitors of the ATP production, for example fentin acetate, fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide, and silthiofam. (6) Inhibitors of the amino acid and/or protein biosynthesis, for example andoprim, blasticidin-S, cyprodinil, kasugamycin, kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate, mepanipyrim and pyrimethanil. (7) Inhibitors of the signal transduction, for example fenpiclonil, fludioxonil and quinoxyfen. (8) Inhibitors of the lipid and membrane synthesis, for example biphenyl, chlozolinate, edifenphos, etridiazole, iodocarb, iprobenfos, iprodione, isoprothiolane, procymidone, propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochloride, pyrazophos, tolclofos-methyl and vinclozolin. (9) Inhibitors of the ergosterol biosynthesis, for example aldimorph, azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole, diclobutrazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, dodemorph, dodemorph acetate, epoxiconazole, etaconazole, fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenhexamid, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, fluquinconazole, flurprimidol, flusilazole, flutriafol, furconazole, furconazole-cis, hexaconazole, imazalil, imazalil sulfate, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, naftifine, nuarimol, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazol, pefurazoate, penconazole, piperalin, prochloraz, propiconazole, prothioconazole, pyributicarb, pyrifenox, quinconazole, simeconazole, spiroxamine, tebuconazole, terbinafine, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, tridemorph, triflumizole, triforine, triticonazole, uniconazole, viniconazole and voriconazole. (10) Inhibitors of the cell wall synthesis, for example benthiavalicarb, dimethomorph, flumorph, iprovalicarb, mandipropamid, polyoxins, polyoxorim, prothiocarb, validamycin A, and valifenalate. (11) Inhibitors of the melanine biosynthesis, for example carpropamid, diclocymet, fenoxanil, phthalide, pyroquilon and tricyclazole. (12) Compounds capable to induce a host defence, like for example acibenzolar-5-methyl, probenazole, and tiadinil. (13) Compounds capable to have a multisite action, like for example bordeaux mixture, captafol, captan, chlorothalonil, copper naphthenate, copper oxide, copper oxychloride, copper preparations such as copper hydroxide, copper sulphate, dichlofluanid, dithianon, dodine, dodine free base, ferbam, fluorofolpet, folpet, guazatine, guazatine acetate, iminoctadine, iminoctadine albesilate, iminoctadine triacetate, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, metiram zinc, oxine-copper, propamidine, propineb, sulphur and sulphur preparations including calcium polysulphide, thiram, tolylfluanid, zineb and ziram. (14) Further compounds like for example 2,3-dibutyl-6-chlorothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one, ethyl (2Z)-3-amino-2-cyano-3-phenylprop-2-enoate, N-[2-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-(3′,4′,5′-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4-fluoro-2-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, (2E)-2-(2-{[6-(3-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl]oxy}phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide, (2E)-2-{2-[({[(2E,3E)-4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)but-3-en-2-ylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide, 2-chloro-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide, N-(3-ethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-(formylamino)-2-hydroxybenzamide, 5-methoxy-2-methyl-4-(2-{[({(1E)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)oxy]methyl}phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one, (2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-(2-{[({(1E)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)oxy]methyl}phenyl)ethanamide, (2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-{2-[(E)-({1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethoxy}imino)methyl]phenyl}ethanamide, (2E)-2-{2-[({[(1E)-1-(3-{[(E)-1-fluoro-2-phenylethenyl]oxy}phenyl)ethylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)cycloheptanol, methyl 1-(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate, N-ethyl-N-methyl-N′-{2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}imidoformamide, N′-{5-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide, O-{1-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,2-dimethylpropyl}1H-imidazole-1-carbothioate, N-[2-(4-{[3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl]oxy}-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N²-(methylsulfonyl)valinamide, 5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol, propamocarb-fosetyl, 1-[(4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-2,2-dimethylpropyl 1H-imidazole-1-carboxylate, 1-methyl-N-[2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine, 2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propyl-4H-chromen-4-one, 2-phenylphenol and salts, 3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, 3,4,5-trichloropyridine-2,6-dicarbonitrile, 3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dimethylisoxazolidin-3-yl]pyridine, 3-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-6-methylpyridazine, 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-3,6-dimethylpyridazine, quinolin-8-ol, quinolin-8-ol sulfate (2:1) (salt), tebufloquin, 5-methyl-6-octyl-3,7-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine, 5-ethyl-6-octyl-3,7-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine, ametoctradin, benthiazole, bethoxazin, capsimycin, carvone, chinomethionat, chloroneb, cufraneb, cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, cyprosulfamide, dazomet, debacarb, dichlorophen, diclomezine, dicloran, difenzoquat, difenzoquat methylsulphate, diphenylamine, ecomate, ferimzone, flumetover, fluopicolide, fluoroimide, flusulfamide, flutianil, fosetyl-aluminium, fosetyl-calcium, fosetyl-sodium, hexachlorobenzene, irumamycin, isotianil, methasulfocarb, methyl (2E)-2-{2-[({cyclopropyl[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}thio)methyl]phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate, methyl isothiocyanate, metrafenone, (5-chloro-2-methoxy-4-methylpyridin-3-yl)(2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-methylphenyl)methanone, mildiomycin, tolnifanide, N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide, N-[(4-chlorophenyl)(cyano)methyl]-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide, N-[(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)methyl]-2,4-dichloropyridine-3-carboxamide, N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2,4-dichloropyridine-3-carboxamide, N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2-fluoro-4-iodopyridine-3-carboxamide, N-{(Z)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide, N-{(E)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide, natamycin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, nitrothal-isopropyl, octhilinone, oxamocarb, oxyfenthiin, pentachlorophenol and salts, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, phenothrin, phosphorous acid and its salts, propamocarb fosetylate, propanosine-sodium, proquinazid, pyrrolnitrine, quintozene, S-prop-2-en-1-yl 5-amino-2-(1-methylethyl)-4-(2-methylphenyl)-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carbothioate, tecloftalam, tecnazene, triazoxide, trichlamide, 5-chloro-N′-phenyl-N′-prop-2-yn-1-ylthiophene-2-sulfonohydrazide, zarilamid, N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide, N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide, 3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4-fluoro-2-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide and pentyl {6-[({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate.

The composition according to the invention comprising a mixture of a compound of formula (I) with a bactericide compound can also be particularly advantageous. Examples of suitable bactericide mixing partners can be selected in the following list: bronopol, dichlorophen, nitrapyrin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, kasugamycin, octhilinone, furancarboxylic acid, oxytetracycline, probenazole, streptomycin, tecloftalam, copper sulphate and other copper preparations.

The compounds of formula (I) and the fungicide composition according to the invention can be used to curatively or preventively control the phytopathogenic fungi of plants or crops.

Thus, according to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for curatively or preventively controlling the phytopathogenic fungi of plants or crops characterised in that a compound of formula (I) or a fungicide composition according to the invention is applied to the seed, the plant or to the fruit of the plant or to the soil wherein the plant is growing or wherein it is desired to grow.

The method of treatment according to the invention can also be useful to treat propagation material such as tubers or rhizomes, but also seeds, seedlings or seedlings pricking out and plants or plants pricking out. This method of treatment can also be useful to treat roots. The method of treatment according to the invention can also be useful to treat the overground parts of the plant such as trunks, stems or stalks, leaves, flowers and fruit of the concerned plant.

Among the plants that can be protected by the method according to the invention, mention can be made of cotton; flax; vine; fruit or vegetable crops such as Rosaceae sp. (for instance pip fruit such as apples and pears, but also stone fruit such as apricots, almonds and peaches), Ribesioidae sp., Juglandaceae sp., Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp., Fagaceae sp., Moraceae sp., Oleaceae sp., Actinidaceae sp., Lauraceae sp., Musaceae sp. (for instance banana trees and plantins), Rubiaceae sp., Theaceae sp., Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (for instance lemons oranges and grapefruit); Solanaceae sp. (for instance tomatoes), Liliaceae sp., Asteraceae sp. (for instance lettuces), Umbelliferae sp., Cruciferae sp., Chenopodiaceae sp., Cucurbitaceae sp., Papilionaceae sp. (for instance peas), Rosaceae sp. (for instance strawberries); major crops such as Graminae sp. (for instance maize, lawn or cereals such as wheat, rye, rice, barley and triticale), Asteraceae sp. (for instance sunflower), Cruciferae sp. (for instance colza), Fabacae sp. (for instance peanuts), Papilionaceae sp. (for instance soybean), Solanaceae sp. (for instance potatoes), Chenopodiaceae sp. (for instance beetroots), Elaeis sp. (for instance oil palm); horticultural and forest crops; as well as genetically modified homologues of these crops.

The method of treatment according to the invention can be used in the treatment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), e.g. plants or seeds. Genetically modified plants (or transgenic plants) are plants in which a heterologous gene has been stably integrated into the genome. The expression “heterologous gene” essentially means a gene which is provided or assembled outside the plant and when introduced in the nuclear, chloroplastic or mitochondrial genome gives the transformed plant new or improved agronomic or other properties by expressing a protein or polypeptide of interest or by downregulating or silencing other gene(s) which are present in the plant (using for example, antisense technology, co suppression technology or RNA interference—RNAi-technology). A heterologous gene that is located in the genome is also called a transgene. A transgene that is defined by its particular location in the plant genome is called a transformation or transgenic event.

Depending on the plant species or plant cultivars, their location and growth conditions (soils, climate, vegetation period, diet), the treatment according to the invention may also result in superadditive (“synergistic”) effects. Thus, for example, reduced application rates and/or a widening of the activity spectrum and/or an increase in the activity of the active compounds and compositions which can be used according to the invention, better plant growth, increased tolerance to high or low temperatures, increased tolerance to drought or to water or soil salt content, increased flowering performance, easier harvesting, accelerated maturation, higher harvest yields, bigger fruits, larger plant height, greener leaf color, earlier flowering, higher quality and/or a higher nutritional value of the harvested products, higher sugar concentration within the fruits, better storage stability and/or processability of the harvested products are possible, which exceed the effects which were actually to be expected.

At certain application rates, the active compound combinations according to the invention may also have a strengthening effect in plants. Accordingly, they are also suitable for mobilizing the defense system of the plant against attack by unwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses. This may, if appropriate, be one of the reasons of the enhanced activity of the combinations according to the invention, for example against fungi. Plant-strengthening (resistance-inducing) substances are to be understood as meaning, in the present context, those substances or combinations of substances which are capable of stimulating the defense system of plants in such a way that, when subsequently inoculated with unwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses, the treated plants display a substantial degree of resistance to these unwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses. In the present case, unwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses are to be understood as meaning phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses. Thus, the substances according to the invention can be employed for protecting plants against attack by the abovementioned pathogens within a certain period of time after the treatment. The period of time within which protection is effected generally extends from 1 to 10 days, preferably 1 to 7 days, after the treatment of the plants with the active compounds.

Plants and plant cultivars which are preferably to be treated according to the invention include all plants which have genetic material which impart particularly advantageous, useful traits to these plants (whether obtained by breeding and/or biotechnological means).

Plants and plant cultivars which are also preferably to be treated according to the invention are resistant against one or more biotic stresses, i.e. said plants show a better defense against animal and microbial pests, such as against nematodes, insects, mites, phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and/or viroids.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to the invention are those plants which are resistant to one or more abiotic stresses. Abiotic stress conditions may include, for example, drought, cold temperature exposure, heat exposure, osmotic stress, flooding, increased soil salinity, increased mineral exposure, ozon exposure, high light exposure, limited availability of nitrogen nutrients, limited availability of phosphorus nutrients, shade avoidance.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to the invention, are those plants characterized by enhanced yield characteristics. Increased yield in said plants can be the result of, for example, improved plant physiology, growth and development, such as water use efficiency, water retention efficiency, improved nitrogen use, enhanced carbon assimilation, improved photosynthesis, increased germination efficiency and accelerated maturation. Yield can furthermore be affected by improved plant architecture (under stress and non-stress conditions), including but not limited to, early flowering, flowering control for hybrid seed production, seedling vigor, plant size, internode number and distance, root growth, seed size, fruit size, pod size, pod or ear number, seed number per pod or ear, seed mass, enhanced seed filling, reduced seed dispersal, reduced pod dehiscence and lodging resistance. Further yield traits include seed composition, such as carbohydrate content, protein content, oil content and composition, nutritional value, reduction in anti-nutritional compounds, improved processability and better storage stability.

Plants that may be treated according to the invention are hybrid plants that already express the characteristic of heterosis or hybrid vigor which results in generally higher yield, vigor, health and resistance towards biotic and abiotic stress factors. Such plants are typically made by crossing an inbred male-sterile parent line (the female parent) with another inbred male-fertile parent line (the male parent). Hybrid seed is typically harvested from the male sterile plants and sold to growers. Male sterile plants can sometimes (e.g. in corn) be produced by detasseling, i.e. the mechanical removal of the male reproductive organs (or males flowers) but, more typically, male sterility is the result of genetic determinants in the plant genome. In that case, and especially when seed is the desired product to be harvested from the hybrid plants it is typically useful to ensure that male fertility in the hybrid plants is fully restored. This can be accomplished by ensuring that the male parents have appropriate fertility restorer genes which are capable of restoring the male fertility in hybrid plants that contain the genetic determinants responsible for male-sterility. Genetic determinants for male sterility may be located in the cytoplasm. Examples of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) were for instance described in Brassica species (WO 1992/005251, WO 1995/009910, WO 1998/27806, WO 2005/002324, WO 2006/021972 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,072). However, genetic determinants for male sterility can also be located in the nuclear genome. Male sterile plants can also be obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering. A particularly useful means of obtaining male-sterile plants is described in WO 1989/10396 in which, for example, a ribonuclease such as barnase is selectively expressed in the tapetum cells in the stamens. Fertility can then be restored by expression in the tapetum cells of a ribonuclease inhibitor such as barstar (e.g. WO 1991/002069).

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may be treated according to the invention are herbicide-tolerant plants, i.e. plants made tolerant to one or more given herbicides. Such plants can be obtained either by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such herbicide tolerance.

Herbicide-tolerant plants are for example glyphosate-tolerant plants, i.e. plants made tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate or salts thereof. Plants can be made tolerant to glyphosate through different means. For example, glyphosate-tolerant plants can be obtained by transforming the plant with a gene encoding the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). Examples of such EPSPS genes are the AroA gene (mutant CT7) of the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium (Comai et al., Science (1983), 221, 370-371), the CP4 gene of the bacterium Agrobacterium sp. (Barry et al., Curr. Topics Plant Physiol. (1992), 7, 139-145), the genes encoding a Petunia EPSPS (Shah et al., Science (1986), 233, 478-481), a Tomato EPSPS (Gasser et al., J. Biol. Chem. (1988),263, 4280-4289), or an Eleusine EPSPS (WO 2001/66704). It can also be a mutated EPSPS as described in for example EP-A 0837944, WO 2000/066746, WO 2000/066747 or WO 2002/026995. Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by expressing a gene that encodes a glyphosate oxido-reductase enzyme as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,760 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,175. Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by expressing a gene that encodes a glyphosate acetyl transferase enzyme as described in for example WO 2002/036782, WO 2003/092360, WO 2005/012515 and WO 2007/024782. Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by selecting plants containing naturally-occurring mutations of the above-mentioned genes, as described in for example WO 2001/024615 or WO 2003/013226. Other herbicide resistant plants are for example plants that are made tolerant to herbicides inhibiting the enzyme glutamine synthase, such as bialaphos, phosphinothricin or glufosinate. Such plants can be obtained by expressing an enzyme detoxifying the herbicide or a mutant glutamine synthase enzyme that is resistant to inhibition. One such efficient detoxifying enzyme is an enzyme encoding a phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (such as the bar or pat protein from Streptomyces species). Plants expressing an exogenous phosphinothricin acetyltransferase are for example described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,236; U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,477; U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,024; U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,894; U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,489; U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,268; U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,082; U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,810 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,112,665. Further herbicide-tolerant plants are also plants that are made tolerant to the herbicides inhibiting the enzyme hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenase (HPPD). Hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenases are enzymes that catalyze the reaction in which para-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) is transformed into homogentisate. Plants tolerant to HPPD-inhibitors can be transformed with a gene encoding a naturally-occurring resistant HPPD enzyme, or a gene encoding a mutated HPPD enzyme as described in WO 1996/038567, WO 1999/024585 and WO 1999/024586. Tolerance to HPPD-inhibitors can also be obtained by transforming plants with genes encoding certain enzymes enabling the formation of homogentisate despite the inhibition of the native HPPD enzyme by the HPPD-inhibitor. Such plants and genes are described in WO 1999/034008 and WO 2002/36787. Tolerance of plants to HPPD inhibitors can also be improved by transforming plants with a gene encoding an enzyme prephenate dehydrogenase in addition to a gene encoding an HPPD-tolerant enzyme, as described in WO 2004/024928.

Still further herbicide resistant plants are plants that are made tolerant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Known ALS-inhibitors include, for example, sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidines, pyrimidinyloxy(thio)benzoates, and/or sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinone herbicides. Different mutations in the ALS enzyme (also known as acetohydroxyacid synthase, AHAS) are known to confer tolerance to different herbicides and groups of herbicides, as described for example in Tranel and Wright, Weed Science (2002), 50, 700-712, but also, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,011, U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,824, U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,870, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,659. The production of sulfonylurea-tolerant plants and imidazolinone-tolerant plants is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,011; U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,659; U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,870; U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,361; U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,180; U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,732; U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,373; U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,107; U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,937; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,824; and international publication WO 1996/033270. Other imidazolinone-tolerant plants are also described in for example WO 2004/040012, WO 2004/106529, WO 2005/020673, WO 2005/093093, WO 2006/007373, WO 2006/015376, WO 2006/024351, and WO 2006/060634. Further sulfonylurea- and imidazolinone-tolerant plants are also described in for example WO 2007/024782.

Other plants tolerant to imidazolinone and/or sulfonylurea can be obtained by induced mutagenesis, selection in cell cultures in the presence of the herbicide or mutation breeding as described for example for soybeans in U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,082, for rice in WO 1997/41218, for sugar beet in U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,702 and WO 1999/057965, for lettuce in U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,599, or for sunflower in WO 2001/065922.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are insect-resistant transgenic plants, i.e. plants made resistant to attack by certain target insects. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such insect resistance. An “insect-resistant transgenic plant”, as used herein, includes any plant containing at least one transgene comprising a coding sequence encoding:

-   -   1) an insecticidal crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis         or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as the insecticidal         crystal proteins listed by Crickmore et al., Microbiology and         Molecular Biology Reviews (1998), 62, 807-813, updated by         Crickmore et al. (2005) at the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin         nomenclature, online at:         http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/Home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/), or         insecticidal portions thereof, e.g., proteins of the Cry protein         classes Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1F, Cry2Ab, Cry3Aa, or Cry3Bb or         insecticidal portions thereof; or     -   2) a crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion         thereof which is insecticidal in the presence of a second other         crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion         thereof, such as the binary toxin made up of the Cry34 and Cry35         crystal proteins (Moellenbeck et al., Nat. Biotechnol. (2001),         19, 668-72; Schnepf et al., Applied Environm. Microbiol. (2006),         71, 1765-1774); or     -   3) a hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts of different         insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis, such         as a hybrid of the proteins of 1) above or a hybrid of the         proteins of 2) above, e.g., the Cry1A.105 protein produced by         corn event MON98034 (WO 2007/027777); or     -   4) a protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,         particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another         amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target         insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect         species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the         encoding DNA during cloning or transformation, such as the         Cry3Bb1 protein in corn events MON863 or MON88017, or the Cry3A         protein in corn event MIR604;     -   5) an insecticidal secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis         or Bacillus cereus, or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as         the vegetative insecticidal (VIP) proteins listed at:         http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/vip.html,         e.g., proteins from the VIP3Aa protein class; or     -   6) a secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus         cereus which is insecticidal in the presence of a second         secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or B. cereus, such         as the binary toxin made up of the VIP1A and VIP2A proteins (WO         1994/21795); or     -   7) a hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts from different         secreted proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus         cereus, such as a hybrid of the proteins in 1) above or a hybrid         of the proteins in 2) above; or     -   8) a protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,         particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another         amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target         insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect         species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the         encoding DNA during cloning or transformation (while still         encoding an insecticidal protein), such as the VIP3Aa protein in         cotton event COT102.

Of course, an insect-resistant transgenic plant, as used herein, also includes any plant comprising a combination of genes encoding the proteins of any one of the above classes 1 to 8. In one embodiment, an insect-resistant plant contains more than one transgene encoding a protein of any one of the above classes 1 to 8, to expand the range of target insect species affected when using different proteins directed at different target insect species, or to delay insect resistance development to the plants by using different proteins insecticidal to the same target insect species but having a different mode of action, such as binding to different receptor binding sites in the insect.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are tolerant to abiotic stresses. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutation imparting such stress resistance. Particularly useful stress tolerance plants include:

-   -   a. plants which contain a transgene capable of reducing the         expression and/or the activity of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase         (PARP) gene in the plant cells or plants as described in WO         2000/004173 or WO2006/045633 or PCT/EP07/004,142.     -   b. plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene         capable of reducing the expression and/or the activity of the         PARG encoding genes of the plants or plants cells, as described         e.g. in WO 2004/090140.     -   c. plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene         coding for a plant-functional enzyme of the nicotinamide adenine         dinucleotide salvage synthesis pathway including nicotinamidase,         nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase, nicotinic acid         mononucleotide adenyl transferase, nicotinamide adenine         dinucleotide synthetase or nicotine amide         phosphoribosyltransferase as described e.g. in WO2006/032469 or         WO 2006/133827 or PCT/EP07/002,433.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention show altered quantity, quality and/or storage-stability of the harvested product and/or altered properties of specific ingredients of the harvested product such as:

-   -   1) transgenic plants which synthesize a modified starch, which         in its physical-chemical characteristics, in particular the         amylose content or the amylose/amylopectin ratio, the degree of         branching, the average chain length, the side chain         distribution, the viscosity behaviour, the gelling strength, the         starch grain size and/or the starch grain morphology, is changed         in comparison with the synthesised starch in wild type plant         cells or plants, so that this is better suited for special         applications. Said transgenic plants synthesizing a modified         starch are disclosed, for example, in EP 0571427, WO         1995/004826, EP 0719338, WO 1996/15248, WO 1996/19581, WO         1996/27674, WO 1997/11188, WO 1997/26362, WO 1997/32985, WO         1997/42328, WO 1997/44472, WO 1997/45545, WO 1998/27212, WO         1998/40503, WO99/58688, WO 1999/58690, WO 1999/58654, WO         2000/008184, WO 2000/008185, WO 2000/008175, WO 2000/28052, WO         2000/77229, WO 2001/12782, WO 2001/12826, WO 2002/101059, WO         2003/071860, WO 2004/056999, WO 2005/030942, WO 2005/030941, WO         2005/095632, WO 2005/095617, WO 2005/095619, WO 2005/095618, WO         2005/123927, WO 2006/018319, WO 2006/103107, WO 2006/108702, WO         2007/009823, WO 2000/22140, WO 2006/063862, WO 2006/072603, WO         2002/034923, EP 06090134.5, EP 06090228.5, EP 06090227.7, EP         07090007.1, EP 07090009.7, WO 2001/14569, WO 2002/79410, WO         2003/33540, WO 2004/078983, WO 2001/19975, WO 1995/26407, WO         1996/34968, WO 1998/20145, WO 1999/12950, WO 1999/66050, WO         1999/53072, U.S. Pat. No. 6,734,341, WO 2000/11192, WO         1998/22604, WO 1998/32326, WO 2001/98509, WO 2001/98509, WO         2005/002359, U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,790, U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,861,         WO 1994/004693, WO 1994/009144, WO 1994/11520, WO 1995/35026, WO         1997/20936.     -   2) transgenic plants which synthesize non starch carbohydrate         polymers or which synthesize non starch carbohydrate polymers         with altered properties in comparison to wild type plants         without genetic modification. Examples are plants producing         polyfructose, especially of the inulin and levan-type, as         disclosed in EP 0663956, WO 1996/001904, WO 1996/021023, WO         1998/039460, and WO 1999/024593, plants producing alpha 1,4         glucans as disclosed in WO 1995/031553, US 2002/031826, U.S.         Pat. No. 6,284,479, U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,107, WO 1997/047806, WO         1997/047807, WO 1997/047808 and WO 2000/014249, plants producing         alpha-1,6 branched alpha-1,4-glucans, as disclosed in WO         2000/73422, plants producing alternan, as disclosed in WO         2000/047727, EP 06077301.7, U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,975 and EP         0728213,     -   3) transgenic plants which produce hyaluronan, as for example         disclosed in WO 2006/032538, WO 2007/039314, WO 2007/039315, WO         2007/039316, JP 2006/304779, and WO 2005/012529.

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are plants, such as cotton plants, with altered fiber characteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants contain a mutation imparting such altered fiber characteristics and include:

-   -   a) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of         cellulose synthase genes as described in WO 1998/000549     -   b) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of         rsw2 or rsw3 homologous nucleic acids as described in         WO2004/053219     -   c) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of         sucrose phosphate synthase as described in WO 2001/017333     -   d) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of         sucrose synthase as described in WO02/45485     -   e) Plants, such as cotton plants, wherein the timing of the         plasmodesmatal gating at the basis of the fiber cell is altered,         e.g. through downregulation of fiberselective β 1,3-glucanase as         described in WO2005/017157     -   f) Plants, such as cotton plants, having fibers with altered         reactivity, e.g. through the expression of         N-acteylglucosaminetransferase gene including nodC and         chitinsynthase genes as described in WO2006/136351

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to the invention are plants, such as oilseed rape or related Brassica plants, with altered oil profile characteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformation or by selection of plants contain a mutation imparting such altered oil characteristics and include:

-   -   a) Plants, such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a         high oleic acid content as described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No.         5,969,169, U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,946 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,392 or         U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,947     -   b) Plants such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a         low linolenic acid content as described in U.S. Pat. No.         6,270,828, U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,190 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,755     -   c) Plant such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a low         level of saturated fatty acids as described e.g. in U.S. Pat.         No. 5,434,283

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according to the invention are plants which comprise one or more genes which encode one or more toxins, such as the following which are sold under the trade names YIELD GARD® (for example maize, cotton, soya beans), KnockOut® (for example maize), BiteGard® (for example maize), Bt-Xtra® (for example maize), StarLink® (for example maize), Bollgard@ (cotton), Nucotn® (cotton), Nucotn 33B® (cotton), NatureGard® (for example maize), Protecta® and NewLeaf@ (potato). Examples of herbicide-tolerant plants which may be mentioned are maize varieties, cotton varieties and soya bean varieties which are sold under the trade names Roundup Ready® (tolerance to glyphosate, for example maize, cotton, soya bean), Liberty Link® (tolerance to phosphinotricin, for example oilseed rape), IMI® (tolerance to imidazolinones) and STS® (tolerance to sulphonylureas, for example maize). Herbicide-resistant plants (plants bred in a conventional manner for herbicide tolerance) which may be mentioned include the varieties sold under the name Clearfield® (for example maize).

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according to the invention are plants containing transformation events, or combination of transformation events, that are listed for example in the databases from various national or regional regulatory agencies (see for example http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse.aspx and http://www.agbios.com/dbase.php).

The composition according to the invention may also be used against fungal diseases liable to grow on or inside timber. The term “timber” means all types of species of wood, and all types of working of this wood intended for construction, for example solid wood, high-density wood, laminated wood, and plywood. The method for treating timber according to the invention mainly consists in contacting one or more compounds according to the invention or a composition according to the invention; this includes for example direct application, spraying, dipping, injection or any other suitable means.

Among the diseases of plants or crops that can be controlled by the method according to the invention, mention can be made of:

-   -   Powdery mildew diseases such as:     -   Blumeria diseases, caused for example by Blumeria graminis;     -   Podosphaera diseases, caused for example by Podosphaera         leucotricha;     -   Sphaerotheca diseases, caused for example by Sphaerotheca         fuliginea;     -   Uncinula diseases, caused for example by Uncinula necator;     -   Rust diseases such as:     -   Gymnosporangium diseases, caused for example by Gymnosporangium         sabinae;     -   Hemileia diseases, caused for example by Hemileia vastatrix;     -   Phakopsora diseases, caused for example by Phakopsora pachyrhizi         or Phakopsora meibomiae;     -   Puccinia diseases, caused for example by Puccinia recondita;     -   Uromyces diseases, caused for example by Uromyces         appendiculatus;     -   Oomycete diseases such as:     -   Albugo diseases caused for example by Albugo candida;     -   Bremia diseases, caused for example by Bremia lactucae;     -   Peronospora diseases, caused for example by Peronospora pisi         or P. brassicae;     -   Phytophthora diseases, caused for example by Phytophthora         infestans;     -   Plasmopara diseases, caused for example by Plasmopara viticola;     -   Pseudoperonospora diseases, caused for example by         Pseudoperonospora humuli or Pseudoperonospora cubensis;     -   Pythium diseases, caused for example by Pythium ultimum;     -   Leafspot, leaf blotch and leaf blight diseases such as:     -   Alternaria diseases, caused for example by Alternaria solani;     -   Cercospora diseases, caused for example by Cercospora beticola;     -   Cladiosporum diseases, caused for example by Cladiosporium         cucumerinum;     -   Cochliobolus diseases, caused for example by Cochliobolus         sativus;     -   Colletotrichum diseases, caused for example by Colletotrichum         lindemuthanium;     -   Cycloconium diseases, caused for example by Cycloconium         oleaginum;     -   Diaporthe diseases, caused for example by Diaporthe citri;     -   Drechslera, Syn: Helminthosporium) or Cochliobolus miyabeanus;     -   Elsinoe diseases, caused for example by Elsinoe fawcettii;     -   Gloeosporium diseases, caused for example by Gloeosporium         laeticolor;     -   Glomerella diseases, caused for example by Glomerella cingulata;     -   Guignardia diseases, caused for example by Guignardia bidwelli;     -   Leptosphaeria diseases, caused for example by Leptosphaeria         maculans; Leptosphaeria nodorum;     -   Magnaporthe diseases, caused for example by Magnaporthe grisea;     -   Mycosphaerella diseases, caused for example by Mycosphaerella         graminicola; Mycosphaerella arachidicola; Mycosphaerella         fijiensis;     -   Phaeosphaeria diseases, caused for example by Phaeosphaeria         nodorum;     -   Pyrenophora diseases, caused for example by Pyrenophora teres;     -   Ramularia diseases, caused for example by Ramularia collo-cygni;     -   Rhynchosporium diseases, caused for example by Rhynchosporium         secalis;     -   Septoria diseases, caused for example by Septoria apii or         Septoria lycopercisi;     -   Typhula diseases, caused for example by Typhula incamata;     -   Venturia diseases, caused for example by Venturia inaequalis;     -   Root and stem diseases such as:     -   Corticium diseases, caused for example by Corticium graminearum;     -   Fusarium diseases, caused for example by Fusarium oxysporum;     -   Gaeumannomyces diseases, caused for example by Gaeumannomyces         graminis;     -   Rhizoctonia diseases, caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani;     -   Sarocladium diseases caused for example by Sarocladium oryzae;     -   Sclerotium diseases caused for example by Sclerotium oryzae;     -   Tapesia diseases, caused for example by Tapesia acuformis;     -   Thielaviopsis diseases, caused for example by Thielaviopsis         basicola;     -   Ear and panicle diseases including maize cob, such as:     -   Alternaria diseases, caused for example by Alternaria spp.;     -   Aspergillus diseases, caused for example by Aspergillus flavus;     -   Cladosporium diseases, caused for example by Cladosporium spp.;     -   Claviceps diseases, caused for example by Claviceps purpurea;     -   Fusarium diseases, caused for example by Fusarium culmorum;     -   Gibberella diseases, caused for example by Gibberella zeae;     -   Monographella diseases, caused for example by Monographella         nivalis;     -   Smut and bunt diseases such as:     -   Sphacelotheca diseases, caused for example by Sphacelotheca         reiliana;     -   Tilletia diseases, caused for example by Tilletia caries;     -   Urocystis diseases, caused for example by Urocystis occulta;     -   Ustilago diseases, caused for example by Ustilago nuda;     -   Fruit rot and mould diseases such as:     -   Aspergillus diseases, caused for example by Aspergillus flavus;     -   Botrytis diseases, caused for example by Botrytis cinerea;     -   Penicillium diseases, caused for example by Penicillium         expansum;     -   Rhizopus diseases caused by example by Rhizopus stolonifer     -   Sclerotinia diseases, caused for example by Scierotinia         sclerotiorum;     -   Verticilium diseases, caused for example by Verticilium         alboatrum;     -   Seed and soil borne decay, mould, wilt, rot and damping-off         diseases such as:     -   Alternaria diseases, caused for example by Alternaria         brassicicola     -   Aphanomyces diseases, caused for example by Aphanomyces         euteiches     -   Ascochyta diseases, caused for example by Ascochyta lentis     -   Aspergillus diseases, caused for example by Aspergillus flavus     -   Cladosporium diseases, caused for example by Cladosporium         herbarum     -   Cochliobolus diseases, caused for example by Cochliobolus         sativus     -   (Conidiaform: Drechslera, Bipolaris Syn: Helminthosporium);     -   Colletotrichum diseases, caused for example by Colletotrichum         coccodes;     -   Fusarium diseases, caused for example by Fusarium culmorum;     -   Gibberella diseases, caused for example by Gibberella zeae;     -   Macrophomina diseases, caused for example by Macrophomina         phaseolina     -   Monographella diseases, caused for example by Monographella         nivalis;     -   Penicillium diseases, caused for example by Penicillium expansum     -   Phoma diseases, caused for example by Phoma lingam     -   Phomopsis diseases, caused for example by Phomopsis sojae;     -   Phytophthora diseases, caused for example by Phytophthora         cactorum;     -   Pyrenophora diseases, caused for example by Pyrenophora graminea     -   Pyricularia diseases, caused for example by Pyricularia oryzae;     -   Pythium diseases, caused for example by Pythium ultimum;     -   Rhizoctonia diseases, caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani;     -   Rhizopus diseases, caused for example by Rhizopus oryzae     -   Sclerotium diseases, caused for example by Sclerotium rolfsii;     -   Septoria diseases, caused for example by Septoria nodorum;     -   Typhula diseases, caused for example by Typhula incarnata;     -   Verticillium diseases, caused for example by Verticillium         dahliae;     -   Canker, broom and dieback diseases such as:     -   Nectria diseases, caused for example by Nectria galligena;     -   Blight diseases such as:     -   Monilinia diseases, caused for example by Monilinia taxa;     -   Leaf blister or leaf curl diseases such as:     -   Exobasidium diseases caused for example by Exobasidium vexans;     -   Taphrina diseases, caused for example by Taphrina deformans;     -   Decline diseases of wooden plants such as:     -   Esca diseases, caused for example by Phaemoniella clamydospora,         Phaeomoniella clamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum and         Fomitiporia mediterranea;     -   Eutypa dyeback, caused for example by Eutypa late;     -   Dutch elm disease, caused for example by Ceratocystsc ulmi;     -   Ganoderma diseases caused by example by Ganoderma boninense;     -   Diseases of flowers and Seeds such as:     -   Botrytis diseases, caused for example by Botrytis cinerea;     -   Diseases of tubers such as:     -   Rhizoctonia diseases, caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani     -   Helminthosporium diseases, caused for example by         Helminthosporium solani.     -   Diseases of Tubers such as     -   Rhizoctonia diseases caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani;     -   Helminthosporium diseases caused for example by Helminthosporium         solani;     -   Club root diseases such as     -   Plasmodiophora diseases, caused for example by Plamodiophora         brassicae;     -   Diseases caused by Bacterial Organisms such as     -   Xanthomanas species for example Xanthomonas campestris pv.         oryzae;     -   Pseudomonas species for example Pseudomonas syringae pv.         lachrymans;     -   Erwinia species for example Erwinia amylovora.

The fungicide composition according to the invention can also be used against fungal diseases liable to grow on or inside timber. The term “timber” means all types of species of wood and all types of working of this wood intended for construction, for example solid wood, high-density wood, laminated wood and plywood. The method for treating timber according to the invention mainly consists in contacting one or more compounds according to the invention, or a composition according to the invention; this includes for example direct application, spraying, dipping, injection or any other suitable means.

The dose of active compound usually applied in the method of treatment according to the invention is generally and advantageously from 10 to 800 g/ha, preferably from 50 to 300 g/ha for applications in foliar treatment. The dose of active substance applied is generally and advantageously from 2 to 200 g per 100 kg of seed, preferably from 3 to 150 g per 100 kg of seed in the case of seed treatment.

It is clearly understood that the doses indicated herein are given as illustrative examples of the method according to the invention. A person skilled in the art will know how to adapt the application doses, notably according to the nature of the plant or crop to be treated.

The fungicide composition according to the invention can also be used in the treatment of genetically modified organisms with the compounds according to the invention or the agrochemical compositions according to the invention. Genetically modified plants are plants into genome of that a heterologous gene encoding a protein of interest has been stably integrated. The expression “heterologous gene encoding a protein of interest” essentially means genes that give the transformed plant new agronomic properties, or genes for improving the agronomic quality of the modified plant.

The compounds or mixtures according to the invention can also be used for the preparation of composition useful to curatively or preventively treat human or animal fungal diseases such as, for example, mycoses, dermatoses, trichophyton diseases and candidiases or diseases caused by Aspergillus spp., for example Aspergillus fumigatus.

The various aspects of the invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following table of compound examples and the following preparation or efficacy examples.

The following table illustrates in a non-limiting manner examples of compounds of formula (I) according to the invention.

In the following table, M+H (Apcl+) means the molecular ion peak plus 1 a.m.u. (atomic mass unit) as observed in mass spectroscopy via positive atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation.

In the following table, the log P values were determined in accordance with EEC Directive 79/831 Annex V.A8 by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) on a reversed-phase column (C 18), using the method described below:

Temperature: 40° C.; Mobile phases: 0.1% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile; linear gradient from 10% acetonitrile to 90% acetonitrile.

Calibration was carried out using unbranched alkan-2-ones (comprising 3 to 16 carbon atoms) with known log P values (determination of the log P values by the retention times using linear interpolation between two successive alkanones).

The lambda max values were determined in the maxima of the chromatographic signals using the UV spectra from 190 nm to 400 nm.

In the following table, “position” denotes the point of attachment of the second phenyl ring on the first phenyl ring.

TABLE 1

      Example       A       Z²       Z³       (X)_(n)       position

      logP     Mass (M + H)  1

Me H — 2-

378  2

H H — 2-

457  3

H H — 2-

400  4

H H — 3-

399  5

H H — 3-

364  6

H H — 3-

402  7

H H — 3-

400  8

H H — 3-

457  9

Me H — 4-

414 10

Me H — 4-

380 11

Me H — 4-

413 12

Me H — 4-

413 13

Me H — 4-

415 14

H H — 4-

432 15

H H 2-F 4-

450 16

H H 2-F 4-

3.8  17

H H — 4-

4.47 18

H H 2-F 4-

457 19

H H — 4-

398 20

H H — 4-

439 21

H H — 4-

416 22

H H — 4-

453 23

H H — 4-

453 24

H H — 4-

439 25

H H 2-F 4-

471 26

H H 2-F 4-

400 27

H H — 4-

382 28

H H — 4-

394 29

Me H — 4-

378 30

H H — 4-

3.01 31

H H 2-F 4-

457 32

H H 2-F 4-

434 33

H H 2-Cl 4-

398 34

Me H — 4-

432 35

H H — 4-

434 36

H H 2-F 4-

452 37

Me H — 4-

396 38

H H 2-Cl 4-

416 39

Me H — 4-

392 40

Me H — 4-

472 41

Me H — 4-

376 42

H H 2-Cl 5-

487 43

H H 2-Cl 5-

434

The following examples illustrate in a non-limiting manner the preparation and efficacy of the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 1 N-[1-(biphenyl-2-yl)ethyl]-N-cyclopropyl-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide (Compound 1)

To a solution of 300 mg (0.789 mmol) of N-(2-bromobenzyl)-N-cyclopropyl-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide in 10 ml of tetrahydrofurane are successively added 120 mg (0.986 mmol) of phenylboronic acid, 163 mg (1.183 mmol) of potassium carbonate dissolved in 5 ml of water and 9 mg (0.01 equivalent) of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium. The reaction mixture is heated at 80° C. for 4 hrs. The reaction mixture is then cooled to ambient temperature and poured on 50 ml of brine. The watery layer is extracted three times with diethyl ether and the combined organic layers are successively washed by a 1M solution of sodium hydroxide, brine and filtered over a phase separator filter to yield after concentration 310 mg of a brown oil. Column chromatography (gradient heptane/ethyl acetate) yielded 220 mg (68% yield) of N-[1-(biphenyl-2-yl)ethyl]-N-cyclopropyl-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide as a white solid; melting point [mp]=100° C.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 2 N-[(3-chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)methyl]-N-cyclopropyl-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide (Compound 33) Step 1: preparation of 3-chlorobiphenyl-4-carbaldehyde

To a solution of 5 g (22.78 mmol) of 4-bromo-2-chlorobenzaldehyde in 30 ml of tetrahydrofurane are successively added 3.47 g (28.47 mmol) of phenylboronic acid, 4.72 g (34.17 mmol) of potassium carbonate dissolved in 15 ml of water and 263 mg (0.01 equivalent) of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium. The reaction mixture is heated at 80° C. for 3 hrs. The reaction mixture is then cooled to ambient temperature and poured on 150 ml of brine. The watery layer is extracted three times with dichloromethane and the combined organic layers are successively washed by a 1M solution of sodium hydroxide, brine and filtered over a ChemElut cartridge to yield after concentration 4.6 g of a brown solid. Column chromatography (gradient heptane/chloroforme) yielded 3.29 g (65% yield) of 3-chlorobiphenyl-4-carbaldehyde as a white solid; mp=90-91° C.

Step 2: preparation of N-[(3-chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)methyl]cyclopropanamine

To a cooled solution of 1.82 ml (26 mmol) of cyclopropylamine and 1.90 ml (33 mmol) of acetic acid, together with 3 g of 3 Å molecular sieves, in 45 ml of methanol, are added 2.85 g (13.1 mmol) of 3-chlorobiphenyl-4-carbaldehyde. The reaction mixture is stirred for 4 hrs at reflux. The reaction mixture is then cooled to ambient temperature and 1.24 g (19.7 mmol) of sodium cyanoborohydride are slowly added. The reaction mixture is further stirred for 2 hrs at reflux. The solvent is removed under vacuum and 100 ml of water are then added to the residue and the pH is adjusted to 10 with sodium hydroxyde. The watery layer is extracted three times with dichloromethane (3×50 ml); the combined organic layers are filtered over a phase separator filter to yield after concentration 11.61 g of a yellow oil. Column chromatography (gradient heptane/ethyl acetate) yielded 2.84 g (79% yield) of N-[(3-chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)methyl]cyclopropanamine as a colourless oil (M+H=258).

Step 3: preparation of N-[(3-chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)methyl]-N-cyclopropyl-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide

At ambient temperature, a solution of 226 mg (1.28 mmol) of 5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl chloride in 1 ml of tetrahydrofurane is added dropwise to a solution of 300 mg (1.164 mmol) of N-[(3-chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)methyl]cyclopropanamine and 0.18 ml of triethylamine in 5 ml tetrahydrofurane. The reaction mixture is stirred for 15 hrs at room temperature. The solvent is removed under vacuum and 10 ml of water are then added to the residue. The watery layer is extracted twice with ethyl acetate (2×50 ml) and the combined organic layers are successively washed by a 1M solution of HCl, a saturated solution of potassium carbonate and brine and filtered over a ChemElut cartridge to yield after concentration 350 mg (72% yield) of N-[(3-chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)methyl]-N-cyclopropyl-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide as a yellow oil (M+H=398).

EXAMPLE A In Vivo Test on Alternaria brassicae (Leaf Spot of Crucifers)

The active ingredients tested are prepared by potter homogenization in a mixture of acetone/tween/water. This suspension is then diluted with water to obtain the desired active material concentration.

Radish plants (Pernot variety), sown on a 50/50 peat soil-pozzolana substrate in starter cups and grown at 18-20° C., are treated at the cotyledon stage by spraying with the active ingredient prepared as described above.

Plants, used as controls, are treated with the mixture of acetone/tween/water not containing the active material.

After 24 hours, the plants are contaminated by spraying them with an aqueous suspension of Alternaria brassicae spores (40,000 spores per cm³). The spores are collected from a 12 to 13 days-old culture.

The contaminated radish plants are incubated for 6-7 days at about 18° C., under a humid atmosphere.

Grading is carried out 6 to 7 days after the contamination, in comparison with the control plants. Under these conditions, good protection (at least 70%) is observed at a dose of 500 ppm with the following compounds: 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 21, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 38, 39, 42 and 43.

EXAMPLE B In Vivo Test on Pyrenophora teres (Barley Net Blotch)

The active ingredients tested are prepared by homogenization in a mixture of acetone/tween/DMSO, then diluted with water to obtain the desired active material concentration.

Barley plants (Express variety), sown on a 50/50 peat soil-pozzolana substrate in starter cups and grown at 12° C., are treated at the 1-leaf stage (10 cm tall) by spraying with the active ingredient prepared as described above. Plants, used as controls, are treated with the mixture of acetone/tween/DMSO/water not containing the active material.

After 24 hours, the plants are contaminated by spraying them with an aqueous suspension of Pyrenophora teres spores (12,000 spores per ml). The spores are collected from a 12-day-old culture. The contaminated barley plants are incubated for 24 hours at about 20° C. and at 100% relative humidity, and then for 12 days at 80% relative humidity.

Grading is carried out 12 days after the contamination, in comparison with the control plants.

Under these conditions, good (at least 70%) or total protection is observed at a dose of 500 ppm with the following compounds: 1, 2, 4, 5, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 38, 39 and 42.

EXAMPLE C In Vivo Test on Sphaerotheca fuliginea (Cucurbit Powdery Mildew)

The active ingredients tested are prepared by homogenization in a mixture of acetone/tween/water. This suspension is then diluted with water to obtain the desired active material concentration.

Gherkin plants (Vert petit de Paris variety) in starter cups, sown on a 50/50 peat soil-pozzolana substrate and grown at 20° C./23° C., are treated at the 2 leaves stage by spraying with the aqueous suspension described above. Plants, used as controls, are treated with an aqueous solution not containing the active material.

After 24 hours, the plants are contaminated by spraying them with an aqueous suspension of Sphaerotheca fuliginea spores (100 000 spores per ml). The spores are collected from a contaminated plants. The contaminated gherkin plants are incubated at about 20° C./25° C. and at 60/70% relative humidity.

Grading (% of efficacy) is carried out 21 days after the contamination, in comparison with the control plants.

Under these conditions, good (at least 70%) or total protection is observed at a dose of 500 ppm with the following compounds: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 22, 25, 38, 39 and 42.

EXAMPLE D In Vivo Test on Mycosphaerella graminicola (Wheat Leaf Spot)

The active ingredients tested are prepared by homogenization in a mixture of acetone/tween/DMSO, then diluted with water to obtain the desired active material concentration.

Wheat plants (Scipion variety), sown on a 50/50 peat soil-pozzolana substrate in starter cups and grown at 12° C., are treated at the 1-leaf stage (10 cm tall) by spraying with the aqueous suspension described above. Plants, used as controls, are treated with an aqueous solution not containing the active material.

After 24 hours, the plants are contaminated by spraying them with an aqueous suspension of Mycosphaerella graminicola spores (500 000 spores per ml). The spores are collected from a 7-day-old culture. The contaminated wheat plants are incubated for 72 hours at 18° C. and at 100% relative humidity, and then for 21 to 28 days at 90% relative humidity.

Grading (% of efficacy) is carried out 21 to 28 days after the contamination, in comparison with the control plants.

Under these conditions, good (at least 70%) or total protection is observed at a dose of 500 ppm with the following compounds: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41 and 42.

EXAMPLE E In Vivo Comparative Test on Peronospora parasitica (Crucifer Downy Mildew)

Cabbage plants (Eminence variety) in starter cups, sown on a 50/50 peat soil-pozzolana substrate and grown at 18-20° C., are treated at the cotyledon stage by spraying with the aqueous suspension described above. Plants, used as controls, are treated with an aqueous solution not containing the active material. After 24 hours, the plants are contaminated by spraying them with an aqueous suspension of Peronospora parasitica spores (50 000 spores per ml). The spores are collected from infected plant. The contaminated cabbage plants are incubated for 5 days at 20° C., under a humid atmosphere. Grading is carried out 5 days after the contamination, in comparison with the control plants.

Under these conditions, good (at least 70% of disease control) to total protection (100% of disease control) is observed at a dose of 500 ppm with the following compounds: 7, 14 and 30 according to the invention whereas weak protection (less than 30% of disease control) to no protection at all is observed at a dose of 500 ppm with the compounds of examples 358 and 489 disclosed in international patent application WO-2007/087906. Examples 358 and 489 disclosed in patent application WO-2007/087906 correspond, respectively, to following compounds:

-   N-cyclopropyl-N-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)benzyl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide; -   N-[4-(4-chlorophenoxy)benzyl]-N-cyclopropyl-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide.

These results show that the compounds according to the invention have a much better biological activity than the structurally closest compounds disclosed in WO-2007/087906. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (II)

wherein Z² and Z³, that can be the same or different, represent a hydrogen atom; C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₂-C₈-alkenyl; C₂-C₈-alkynyl; cyano; nitro; a halogen atom; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₂ C₈-alkenyloxy; C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; C₁-C₈-alkylsulphenyl; amino; C₁-C₈-alkylamino; di-C₁-C₈-alkylamino; C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₈-alkylcarbamoyl; di-C₁-C₈-alkylcarbamoyl; N—C₁-C₈-alkyl-C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbamoyl; or Z² and Z³ together with the carbon atom to that they are linked can form a substituted or non substituted C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; X and Y independently represent a halogen atom; nitro; cyano; isonitrile; hydroxyl; sulfanyl; amino; pentafluoro-λ⁶-sulfanyl; C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylamino; di-C₁-C₈-alkylamino; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylsulphanyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphanyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₂-C₈-alkenyl; C₂-C₈-halogenoalkenyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₂-C₈-alkynyl; C₂-C₈-halogenoalkynyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different C₂-C₈-alkenyloxy; C₂-C₈-halogenoalkenyloxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₂-C₈-alkynyloxy; C₂-C₈-halogenoalkynyloxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₂-C₈-alkenyl; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₂-C₈-alkynyl; C₃-C₇-halogenocycloalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl-C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; C₁-C₈-alkyl-C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl; C₆-C₁₄-bicycloalkyl; formyl; formyloxy; formylamino; carboxy; carbamoyl; N-hydroxycarbamoyl; carbamate; (hydroxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylcarbonyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylcarbamoyl; di-C₁-C₈-alkylcarbamoyl; N—C₁-C₈-alkyloxycarbamoyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbamoyl; N—C₁-C₈-alkyl-C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbamoyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxycarbonyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyl; di-C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyl; C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonyloxy; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylcarbonyloxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylcarbonylamino; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylcarbonylamino comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyloxy; di-C₁-C₈-alkylaminocarbonyloxy; C₁-C₈-alkyloxycarbonyloxy, C₁-C₈-alkylsulphenyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphenyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylsulphinyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphinyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkylsulphonyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkylsulphonyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-alkoxyimino; (C₁-C₈-alkoxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl; (C₂-C₈-alkenyloxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl; (C₂-C₈-alkynyloxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl; (benzyloxyimino)-C₁-C₈-alkyl; tri(C₁-C₈-alkyl)silyl; tri(C₁-C₈-alkyl)silyl-C₁-C₈-alkyl; benzyloxy that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; benzylsulfanyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; benzylamino that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; aryl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; aryloxy that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; arylamino that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; arylsulfanyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; aryl-C₁-C₈-alkyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; aryl-C₂-C₈-alkenyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; aryl-C₂-C₈-alkynyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; aryl-C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl that can be substituted by up to 5 groups Q; pyridinyl that can be substituted by up to 4 groups Q and pyridinyloxy that can be substituted by up to 4 groups Q; or two substituents X together with the consecutive carbon atoms to that they are linked can form a 5- or 6-membered, saturated, carbo- or hetero-cycle comprising up to 3 heteroatoms fused with the phenyl ring to that the two substituent X are linked, that can be substituted by up to 4 groups Q that can be the same or different; or two substituents Y together with the consecutive carbon atoms to that they are linked can form a 5- or 6-membered, saturated, carbo- or hetero-cycle comprising up to 3 heteroatoms fused with the phenyl ring to that the two substituent X are linked, that can be substituted by up to 4 groups Q that can be the same or different; n represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; m represents 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; Q independently represents a halogen atom; cyano; isonitrile; nitro; C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₂-C₈-alkenyl; C₂-C₈-alkynyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylsulphanyl; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₂-C₈-halogenoalkenyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₂-C₈-halogenoalkynyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; C₁-C₈-halogenoalkoxy-C₁-C₈-alkyl comprising up to 9 halogen atoms that can be the same or different; tri(C₁-C₈)alkylsilyl and tri(C₁-C₈)alkylsilyl-C₁-C₈-alkyl; with the exclusion of N-(biphenyl-4-ylmethyl)cyclopropanamine and N-[1-(biphenyl-4-yl)ethyl]cyclopropanamine. 